Tuesday, October 4, 2011

We're Walking . . .

Saturday was the 6th Annual Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut.

And oh what a day it was.

The Foundation is unique because 100% of the fundraising dollars go directly to breast cancer research. Administrative costs and are covered by sponsors, and volunteers run the organization; therefore 100% of the over 1.8 million dollars that has been raised (so far) has gone straight into 18 grants (so far) given to the best and brightest breast cancer researches. It's pure awesome.

We've visited the Walk in these pages before.

In 2008, we Took A Walk.

In 2009, we Walked The Walk.

And in 2010, we Kept On Walking.

It's an amazing day, with a million amazing people making it happen -- hundreds of walkers walking 26.2 miles year after year -- and loads of volunteers setting up tents for lunch, water and gatorade, hot chowder, apples and cider, massages, music, ice cream -- all donated, all served by volunteers donating their time and supporting the badasses walking clear across the shoreline of our fair State.

One of the best things about the Walk?

The finish line.

And one of the best things about the finish line?

Seeing our girl MartyJoCo cross it with style and aplomb and confidence and grace . . .

. . . for the sixth year in a row*.

*And this year she didn't even have to walk on a broken foot.

Martha's homies were waiting for her at the end . . . they dropped her off in Old Saybrook at 6:30 a.m., and they picked her up in Waterford at 3 . . .

They are seriously awesome homies, Eileen and Jennie are.

"Hi honey, it's me! I didit!"

It's very relaxing at the Closing -- you know, having that 26.2 mile walk behind you and all. I got to sit with Martha and her Homie-Girls for a few, and then all of a sudden, in the distance . . .

Mistah Schleckah!

Mistah joined us at the Closing festivities, and he was even wearing pink . . .

. . .  okay, okay, it was salmon. What-evah. All I know is, I made him he volunteered to help break all the tents down.

And then, the obligatory volunteer group shot . . .

. . . all these great peeps who gave so much of their time, and then had to climb that huge hill for the money shot . . .

. . . until they started breaking up like a group of kindergarteners.

But just *look* at who makes up this crew! My partner Doug and John and Geralyn and Mickey . . .

. . . and our illustrious co-chairs Ellen and Pat . . .

. . . the ever-faithful and hard-working Sandy and Lisa . . .

. . . and Claudia and Marcie and our uber-leader Marianne . . .

. . . and Jean and Steven and Richard and Rayna . . .

. . . and me and Lynne and Wayne and Anne and Dena and Stacey . . .

. . . what a crew, huh?

. . . what a crew.

Thanks all you wonderful people. Keep fighting the good fight. And we'll see you for some more mad success next year.

6 comments:

Me, You, or Ellie said...

Such a great event. Loving those pink, pink, pink balloons. And Mistah's salmon shirt too.

And MartyJoCo? Well she rocks, and rolls, and walks the walk -- all in those sandals with socks, no less.

Nice job ladies, and gents. 100% donation is fabu! Keep it up ;-)

xoxo,
Beth

jacquie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Me, You, or Ellie said...

Good on ya, Ellie! I know it was a huge undertaking being involved at the organizational level this year. You did the cause proud, and you and all the other volunteers and the walking peeps are my heros.

love you!!

Jacquie

martyjoco said...

Thanks for making the walk such a breeze (and smashing success) this year, Ellie! You and the rest of the crew did such a great job keeping us hydrated and motivated and fed and healthy - you work WAY harder than I do, for weeks and weeks and weeks. Thanks for meeting me at the end (and the beginning and the middle, too); it meant a ton. All for Norma, and my sisters and everyone's sisters and mothers and aunts, et al. Huge love.

Mom C said...

Beautiful post Ellie, I cannot imaagine walking 26 miles. Good job everyone... love, mom

Joan said...

Great pics, and loved reading all about it. Kudos to you for all the hard work - - it's always the people behind the scenes that account for the success of any event. Speaking as a 'survivor', it's always so moving for me to see the sheer numbers of people who get involved in these walks/races/events... year after year. Huge advances have been made in breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment, and it's all because of people like you! so... THANKS, ELLIE!!